Born in Chicago, Sawyer eventually settled in North Carolina and since 1984 has been a major contributer to the NC Jazz scene. He hosted and performed regularly at the legendary weekly Pyewacket Jazz Series in Chapel Hill from 1984- 1996 and has collaborated for years with many of North Carolina's prominent jazz musicians, including Nnenna Freelon, Jon Metzger, Ron Brendle, Ed Paolantonio, and the late Brother Yusuf Salim. Sawyer has toured extensively with Freelon and was a member of the 1992 Philip Morris Superband which featured jazz icons Phil Woods, Jimmy Heath, Kenny Barron and Bob Cranshaw, as well as rising stars Joshua Redman and Christian McBride. Other tours include Central America with vibraphonist Jon Metzger (USIA, Arts America Program). Sawyer has shared the stage and/or recorded with many notable artists including Charlie Byrd, David Murray, Marie-Christine Mouis, Willie Pickens, Ed Thigpen, Oteil Burbridge, Jon Lucien, Melissa Reaves,